When you come to think about the way that empaths are depicted in literature, there is usually a strong image that most of the readers imagine. This image usually consists of a gloomy house in the remote part of the town, with bare trees in the background. There is a possibility of a cat running into the shadows. In the center of a house there is an empath himself, placed at the table covered with mystical cloth. He is grinning- he was expecting you. In the several moments you see a glimpse of his talent and rush out a fast as you can. This image is so often used that it is interesting to see an empath in the environment in which he or she gets stuck in an apartment with a stripper as a neighbor and annoying ghosts who will not let go. This is what happens in the “Jade Calhoun Series” written by the bestselling author Deanna Chase.

“Jade Calhoun Series” is a string of novels first published in 2011. It centers on the life of Jade Calhoun, an empath with a gift of communicating with ghosts, as she moves into her new apartment at Bourbon Street. Her gift is a secret, as she can not maintain a healthy relationship if someone is acquainted with her abilities. Thus, Jade tries to live a quiet and reclusive life in New Orleans. She gets a job in a coffee shop as a waitress. However, this city of mystery and great charms offers a turn in Jade’s life. Her landlord Kane proves to be quite a charming man and soon Jade becomes infatuated. That is not all- she finds out that her apartment is located right above the strip club. Keeping low profile is not exactly an option in these circumstances, and Jade will get to know that as she befriends Pyper, a stripper from the club, who helps her settle in. Soon after Jade’s abilities kick in as she starts having different conversations with ghosts who seem to never let go of her company. Some of them will even be as courageous enough to visit Pyper and other Jade’s acquaintances.

All the while, Jade has to deal with the passion she feels for Kane, and an occasional blast from the past, embodied in her ex-boyfriend, Dan. There are other important characters in the novel too, including Molly, a fellow waitress, and Charlie, a bisexual bartender at the strip club. Nonetheless, the most intriguing of them all is Bea, who works in a spiritual shop. Jade soon discovers that two of them are connected in a way that other people can not conceive. As for Jade, she has to find a way to control her knowledge of other people’s emotions, which more often comes as a curse than a gift. This is how Jade’s world functions in a nutshell.

“Witches of Bourbon Street” is the second installment of the “Jade Calhoun Series”. It was published in 2012 and it continues the story of an empath/waitress in New Orleans. Things get serious as the whole world as Jade knew it starts to change. She learns the fact that she is not only able to discern emotions of others, but is also in possession of magic. This is the last thing Jade needs in her life, as she has never got used to her empathic skills, let alone magic. This new gift may prove to be even more dangerous, as it can draw forces of the black magic and do much damage if not used properly. Fate has it that Jade finds out about this gift at the time when her spiritual guide and mentor Bea falls ill and can not help Jade with the acceptance of her new abilities. On the other hand, things do not go well in Jade’s love life as her boyfriend Kane falls under the influence of an angel with a violent outburst. She makes him leave the city without the trace. To make things worse, Jade’s ex-boyfriend Dan comes out of blue and it seems as he is possessed, too. The protagonist of the novel now has no choice but to accept her new powers and try to practice in order to use them and help her friends. On her way to do so, she meets a ghost who leaves a hint towards Jane’s mother, who is missing for years. Are all these challenges going to be too much for Jade?

“Demons of Bourbon Street” is the third part of the “Jade Calhoun series”. It was published in 2012 and presents the follow-up to Jade’s adventures in the “Witches of Bourbon Street”. Jade’s character grows from novel to novel and a reader finds her as a leader of the witch coven in New Orleans. She came in terms to her possibilities as new temptations arise. The previous novel ended with a sort of a cliffhanger, as Jade’s ex-boyfriend Dan chose to hand his soul to the demon called Meri in order to save Jade’s mother. This sacrifice costs him greatly as he is dragged to Hell. On the other side, Jade’s boyfriend Kane still feels consequences of his unwilful elopement with an angel. He receives some kind of a demon-like brand which means that his days are numbered. Jade is again put in front of a strenuous task. She has to go to Hell, in order to save Dan and Kane. However, she will not be alone on this mission- Jade will have a familiar companion. Her name is Lailah and Jade is not thrilled because she has to ask for her help. By going to this adventure, Jade will put her own soul to jeopardy. Does she have what it takes to save Dan and Kane?

Being an empath is a difficult job. Being an empath and a witch is even more difficult. Being an empath and a witch with a complicated love life is perhaps one of the most stressful feats on the planet. Sometimes you even have to go to Hell and back, literally. “Jade Calhoun Series” will provide you with a glimpse of that life. While reading Chase’s novels, you too can become one of the ghosts of New Orleans

With the latest book in the Gray Man series by Mark Greaney coming out soon, we wanted to make the very first book in the series our book of the month.

Greaney is an incredible author and if you love the "lone badass" type of books then you will LOVE the Court "Gray Man" Gentry series. Read more about it.

Featured Series

It might seem like overkill, but we're giving The Gray Man series our featured series of the month.

Honestly this is such a great series and we feel not enough people read it so we want to push it. Read more about The Gray Man series and seriously if you haven't read it - start! Amazing thrillers.

Featured Author

Mark Greaney is an incredibly talented author. Not only does he write the Gray Man series however he also writes various Jack Ryan novels. Many feel he is the best writer of them and he truly is a great author. We're happy to award our author of the month to Mark Greaney.

Did You Know…

Joseph Finder has quite the pedigree studying at both Yale and Harvard. He can speak many languages including Farsi, and initially worked for the CIA before deciding to go the route of an author.